Failure Analysis of a Steel Motorcycle Kickstand
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CASE HISTORY—PEER-REVIEWED
Failure Analysis of a Steel Motorcycle Kickstand Zainul Huda Æ Koh Wen Shi Æ Robert Bulpett
Submitted: 1 July 2008 / in revised form: 28 April 2009 / Published online: 12 May 2009 ASM International 2009
Abstract A fractured steel motorcycle kickstand was metallurgically investigated using a range of failure analysis tools [visual examination, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, electron microprobe analysis (EPMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fractography, optical microscopy, hardness testing and non-destructive testing (NDT)]. The steel kickstand’s composition, its microstructure, electron fractographs, and mechanical test results have been critically interpreted. Some evidence of wear damage, in the failed kickstand, was observed. The microstructural and fractographic analyses showed preexisting micro-cracks which were believed to have grown to result in ductile failure followed by acceleration of corrosion. Recommendations have been made to avoid the failure of the motorcycle kickstand. Keywords Failure analysis Ductile fracture Corrosion Wears Electron fractography
Introduction This paper reports failure analysis of a kickstand which fractured and failed to function properly causing the motorcycle to collapse to the ground. The failure caused significant damage to the motorcycle and a full investigation Z. Huda (&) K. W. Shi Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia e-mail: [email protected] R. Bulpett Experimental Techniques Centre, Brunel University of West London, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
on the broken kickstand was undertaken to determine the cause(s) of the failure. There is a continuous and ongoing requirement for improvement in the mechanical properties of materials used in automotive industries [1, 2]. Manufacturers of motorcycles are responsible for making sure that defective parts do not make it into their products. If a motorcycle kickstand is defective, riders may become pinned under a heavy bike or suffer other injuries. Even if the parts are not defective, poor design can lead to similar accidents [3]. For example, a kickstand must be designed and built in such a way as to support the motorcycle and not to lose its effectiveness with repeated use. A motorcycle kickstand is an accessory component for a motorcycle; it is a swiveling metal bar for holding a twowheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle, upright when not being ridden. The kickstand is attached to the motorcycle using a bolt and nut, so that its position can be adjusted. In operation it can rotate almost 100 up and hides under the side cover keeping it safely out of the way of the rider. Figure 1 shows a general view of a kickstand attached to a motorcycle.
Failure Investigations In order to investigate the cause(s) of the failure of the kickstand, the following failure analysis techniques and experiments were conducted [4]: • • • • •
collection of background data, visual inspection, electron fractographic examination, chemic
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